avrdude: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00avrdude: stk500_disable(): protocol error, expect=0x14, resp=0x51I was able to upload the basic blink sketch earlier, but now that fails as well.Yes I have verified I am selecting the correct COM port and board and am using the most recent version of the application. I am in windows 7 64 bit. Any help regarding this will be greatly appreciated!

Yes. The only thing that happened in between was I connected to a linux machine and failed to upload from that. It turned out to have been using an old version of the arduino application if that's relevant. I wish I could recall the error that threw. http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/help.html says this error "Note that it is nearly impossible for anyone to debug this, as there are so many possible issues. Try everything."

Do you know where I could find a list of "everything" so I don't have to bug you guys?

Sorry if it's considered uncouth to respond to an extremely old post, but I'd been away from access to a soldering iron for quite some time. With my shield removed I try to upload blink and get this response: